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When the Diverge first appeared in the Specialized range in 2014, nobody could have predicted the importance that gravel bikes would have in the cycling world a few years later. Nor could anyone have predicted the technical development that the genre would one day undergo. Looking at the model history, this is quite remarkable. The first Diverge was still clearly positioned as a road racing bike, which, with a maximum of 32 millimetre narrow slick tyres, could even tackle a dry dirt track without any defects. It thus filled a very small niche and competed internally with the Roubaix endurance racing bike.
The fourth Diverge generation, which has been on the market since this September, has almost nothing in common with the early approach other than the name and racing handlebars. The current direction of the shock is clear from a glance at the tyres, which are now 45 millimetres wide and well profiled: The favourite terrain of the latest addition is clearly off-road, and that can also be muddy and rough. The Diverge Expert AXS is, for example available here at a reduced price.
Specialised Diverge Expert AXS: What's new
Compared to its direct predecessor, the changes to the new Diverge initially appear subtle. The frame has been given slightly more angular lines, the tyre clearance has been increased to up to 50 millimetres, there is a more voluminous storage compartment with a larger opening in the down tube and additional eyelets on the fork. This means that there is a relatively high risk of confusion between generations three and four, at least as far as the exterior is concerned. The FutureShock suspension under the stem, which has been on board since generation two, and the brake lines running freely in front of the handlebars are still striking features. The latter are a tribute to the demand for comfort, because the suspension can hardly be sensibly combined with the cable integration that is common today even on inexpensive gravel bikes.
Fans of the suspension will accept this without complaint, as the Diverge's comfort concept continues to offer a clearly unique selling point. The up to 20 millimetres of suspension travel absorbs rough impacts from the front wheel very well without the overall system feeling uncontrolled or soft when pedalling. It is also much lighter and visually less bulky than a gravel bike with a suspension fork. With the new Diverge, Specialized is promoting the introduction of FutureShock 3, which is supposed to be better sealed and easier to maintain. However, we did not get to enjoy the top version 3.3, whose response behaviour can be adjusted on the fly with a dial on the stem cover, on our test bike.
It is reserved for the two most expensive versions, Pro and LTD. The Expert and Sport models can only be adjusted to the rider's weight via different spring rates. This is recommended, as we found the suspension on our test bike to be far too firm and unable to realise its full potential. Thanks to the new design, this can now be easily done in the home workshop, whereas previously a visit to the dealer was recommended. The suspension at the rear is complemented by a compliant carbon seatpost, which allows a great deal of flex. On the Diverge, you really feel decoupled from the ground.
But that's not all in terms of off-road capability: the Americans have also tweaked the geometry of the Diverge. This is perhaps the most significant change to the new model, as it has a noticeable effect on the riding behaviour. Derived from the mountain bike, the front frame has been made longer and the stem shorter. The steering angle is now slacker, the bottom bracket lower and the rear wheel sits further back. All of this has one goal: better directional stability and a more stable position on the piste. The bike was never really manoeuvrable, and it is also relatively heavy despite the carbon rims. Nevertheless, during the test ride we were initially irritated by how difficult the bike was to steer on narrow trails and around obstacles. Especially at high speeds, we had to absorb an unusual amount of bumps with the tyres.
But after a while, we can well imagine that the riding behaviour works quite well for less technically experienced riders. Not everyone wants to cycle through the terrain with a high level of concentration like on a classic cyclocross bike. In combination with the suspension and the upright riding position, the concept seems quite coherent. With luggage, the bike should feel safer on the downhill, while less levelling is required on the uphill - Canyon is taking a similar approach with the new Grizl. The model range comprises six variants, with the exception of the entry-level model with mechanical Shimano GRX 1x12 for 3499 euros, all come with electronic single-chainring drivetrains. The top model with SRAM Red XPLR is priced at 9999 euros.
Specialised Diverge Expert: Price & Info
- Price: 6299 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
- Weight of complete wheel: 9.2 kilos
- Frame sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 cm
- TOUR grade: 1,9
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 510/577/135 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 582/409 millimetres/1.42
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 679/556 millimetres/1.22
- Wheelbase/caster: 1060/65 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Rival AXS (1x13, 40, 10-46 teeth) | Note: 2,0
- Brakes: SRAM Rival (160/160 millimetres) | Note: 1,0
- Tyres: Specialised Tracer 45 millimetres | Note: 2,0
- Impellers: Roval Terra C
- Impeller weights: 1556/2077 grams (v./h.)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 9170 grammes | Note: 3,0
- Driving stability: 8.15 N/mm | Note: 1,7
- Rear comfort: 76 N/mm | Note: 1,0
- Comfort front: 42 N/mm | Note: 1,0
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 48 N/mm | Note: 3,0
Strengths and weaknesses of the Specialised
Strengths
- Very comfortable
- Extremely stable off-road
Weaknesses
- Relatively heavy
- Comparatively expensive
How our sister magazine TOUR tests
Jens Klötzer
Editor
